92 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
July  25,  1896. 
the  first  prize  tell  to  Mr.  R.  Sydenham,  Birmingham,  who  staged  com¬ 
pact  flowers  of  Mrs.  Kingston,  Miss  0.  Grahame,  George  Melville,  Lord 
Salisbury,  Lady  M.  Currie,  Sarah  Payne,  Thalia,  Othello,  John  Harrison, 
Master  Fred,  J.  S.  Hedderley,  Sportsman,  George  R,  Helgrave,  and 
Crista  Galli.  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Sons,  Spark  Hill,  Birmingham,  were 
a  creditable  second,  the  stand  containing  good  flowers  of  Jas.  Douglas, 
Florence  Nightingale,  Edward  Adams,  and  others.  The  third  prize  fell 
to  Mr.  Chas.  Turner,  Slough.  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  Handsworth,  Birming¬ 
ham,  was  first  for  twelve  flakes  and  bizarres  with  Master  Fred,  George 
Melville,  George,  Thalia,  Othello,  Lord  Salisbury,  J.  S.  Hedderley,  Feron, 
Harmony,  Gordon  Lewis,  Miss  C.  Grahame,  and  Thaddeus.  Mr.  C. 
Phillips,  Bracknell,  Berks,  was  second  ;  and  Mr.  A.  Midhurst,  Oxford, 
third. 
For  six  dissimilar  Carnation  blooms  first  honours  fell  to  Mr, 
W.  Spencer  jun.,  Barnet ;  the  second  to  Mr.  J.  J.  Keen,  Southampton  ; 
and  the  third,  Mr.  W.  L.  Walker,  Reading.  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  was 
again  first  for  twenty-four  Picotee  blooms  with  white  ground  ;  par¬ 
ticularly  fine  in  the  exhibit  were  Gannymede,  Favourite,  Mrs.  King- 
stone,  Mrs.  Beale,  Amelia,  Little  Phil,  and  Lena  ;  the  second  prize  fell 
to  Mr.  Charles  Turner  ;  and  the  third  to  Messrs.  Thomson  &  Sons.  In 
the  class  for  twelve  Picotees  Mr.  A.  R,  Brown  was  first,  showing  good 
blooms  of  Brunette,  Miss  Anderson,  Ne  Plus  Ultra,  Miriam,  Little  Phil, 
and  others  ;  second  honours  fell  to  Mr.  M.  Rowan,  and  third  to  Mr. 
0.  Phillips,  Bracknell,  Berks.  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones,  Handsworth,  Birming¬ 
ham,  claimed  first  honours  for  six  Picotees  with  white  ground,  who  staged 
excellent  flowers  of  Norman  Carr,  Brunette,  and  Mrs.  Burnett,  amongst 
others,  Mr.  W.  Spencer  jun.,  was  a  creditable  second  ;  and  Mr.  Charles 
Harden  third. 
For  twelve  Picotees  with  yellow  ground,  Mr.  C.  Blick,  gardener  to 
Martin  Smith,  Esq.,  Hayes,  was  a  good  first.  Amongst  other  creditable 
flowers  were  Mrs.  Robert  Sydenham,  Voltaire,  Cowslip,  and  Golden 
Eagle.  Mr.  Charles  Turner  was  granted  the  second  place  ;  Mr.  James 
Douglas  following  with  the  third.  For  six  Picotees  with  yellow  ground 
the  competition  was  very  keen,  there  being  no  less  than  eighteen 
entries.  The  first  place  was  taken  by  Mr.  A.  R.  Brown,  who  showed 
well  shaped  flowers  of  good  size  ;  and  the  second  award  fell  to  Mr,  W. 
Spencer,  jun.  In  the  class  for  twenty-four  Selfs  and  Fancies,  in  not  less 
than  twelve  varieties,  Mr.  Blick,  gardener  to  Martin  Smith,  Esq., 
Hayes,  was  an  excellent  first,  the  stand  containing  good  flowers  of 
Duke  of  Orleans,  Phcebus,  Haye’s  Scarlet,  Waterwitch,  Proserpine,  Mrs. 
Eric  Hambrough,  Eldorado,  Ceres,  Braw  Lass,  Elmira,  The  Dey,  Sea¬ 
gull,  Exile,  and  May  Queen.  Mr.  Charles  Turner  was  second  with  a 
good  even  exhibit.  Mr.  James  Douglas,  gardener  to  Mrs.  Whitbourne, 
Great  Gearies,  Ilford,  followed  with  third. 
For  twelve  dissimilar  blooms  the  first  prize  was  gained  by  Mr. 
R.  Sydenham  with  excellent  flowers  of  Cardinal  Wolsey,  Miss 
A.  Campbell,  Uncle  Tom,  Janira,  Victory,  Surdun,  Western  Glory, 
Corunna,  Raby,  and  others.  Mr.  John  Walker,  Thame,  was  a  good 
second  ;  and  Mr.  Charles  Harden,  Dover,  followed  with  third.  In  the 
class  for  six  dissimilar  blooms  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones,  Handsworth,  Birming¬ 
ham,  claimed  premier  honours  with  Royal  George,  Romulus,  Mirabilis, 
Duke  of  Orleans,  White  Queen,  and  a  seedling.  Mr.  J.  D.  Foulkes, 
Chester,  was  second  ;  and  Mr.  W.  Spencer,  New  Barnet,  third.  The 
first  prize  for  a  single  self  of  any  colour  fell  to  Mr.  A.  W.  Jones  for 
Germania,  and  Mr.  R.  Sydenham  being  second  with  Uncle  Tom.  Mr. 
Charles  Turner  was  first  for  a  single  Fancy  bloom  with  Primrose  Dame, 
and  Mr.  Aubrey  Stirling,  Blackheath  Park,  second. 
For  six  Carnation  and  Picotee  blooms,  first  honours  fell  to  Mr. 
M.  Orr,  Bedford  ;  the  second  to  Mr.  E.  Colby  Sharpin,  Bedford ;  and  the 
third,  Mr.  M.  V.  Charrington.  Mr.  E.  Colby  Sharpin  was  first  for  two 
cut  blooms,  raised  from  seeds  supplied  from  the  Carnation  Society,  with 
beautiful  flowers  ;  Mr.  J.  F.  Kerr,  Southend,  was  second  ;  and  Mr. 
M.  V.  Charrington,  Edenbridge,  third. 
Mr.  Chas.  Blick  was  a  capital  first  for  a  group  of  Carnations  arranged 
for  effect,  the  plants  and  flowers  being  exceptionally  fine.  For  a  group 
of  Carnations,  not  to  exceed  30  feet,  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  was  first,  and  Mr. 
E.  Charrington,  Chislehurst,  second.  Mr.  C.  Blick  was  first  for  a  dinner- 
table  decoration,  formed  of  Carnations  and  Picotees  ;  the  arrangement 
was  very  tasty.  Asparagus  Fern  being  used  with  the  flowers.  The  second 
prize  fell  to  Mr.  F.  W.  Seale,  Sevenoaks  ;  and  the  third  to  Mrs.  Monter, 
Upper  Norwood.  In  the  class  for  twelve  Carnation  blooms,  with  a  spray 
of  foliage  attached,  Mr.  A.  Spurling  was  first  ;  Mr.  Chas.  Harden 
second  ;  and  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  third. 
For  the  best  self-coloured  border  variety  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  was  first, 
Mr.  A.  Spurling  second,  and  Mr.  G.  H.  Sage,  Richmond,  third.  For  six 
blooms  arranged  with  spray  of  foliage  Mr.  J.  F.  Keen  was  first,  Mr.  G. 
Chaunders,  Oxford,  second,  and  Mr.  T.  E.  Henwood  third.  Mr.  A. 
Spurling  was  also  first  for  six  varieties  of  self-coloured  border  Carnations, 
the  second  prize  falling  to  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas,  and  the  third  to  Mr.  H.  W. 
Weguelin,  Teignmouth. 
For  nine  varieties  of  flake,  bizarre,  or  fancy  Carnations  Mr,  Jas. 
Douglas  was  first  ;  Mr.  A.  J.  Saunders,  gardener  to  Viscountess  Chewton, 
Cobham,  Surrey,  followed  with  second,  and  Mr.  H.  W.  Weguelin  third. 
Mr.  Chas.  Blick  gained  first  prize  for  buttonholes  of  Carnations,  and  the 
second  award  fell  to  Mr.  Chas.  Harden.  For  three  sprays  of  Carnation 
and  Picotee  blooms,  first,  Mr.  Chas.  Blick  ;  second,  Mr.  J.  R.  Chard, 
Stoke  Newington  ;  third,  Mr.  C.  Harden.  For  a  vase  of  Carnations  and 
Picotees  Mr,  M.  V.  Charrington  was  first,  Mr.  Jas.  Douglas  second,  and 
Mr.  E.  Charrington  third.  Miscellaneous  exhibits  were  staged  by 
Messrs.  H.  Eckford,  H,  Cannell  &  Sons,  T.  S.  Ware,  W.  B,  Tidy, 
J.  Prichard,  and  B.  Ladhams. 
FRUIT  FORCING. 
Peaches  and  lorectarlnes.  —  Early  Forced  Houses.  —  Trees  of 
Alexander,  Early  Louise  Peaches,  and  Advance  or  Early  Rivers 
Nectarines,  will  now  have  the  buds  sufficiently  plumped  and  the  wood 
matured  to  permit  the  roof  lights  being  removed,  which  should  not  be 
further  delayed,  if  not  already  done.  This  is  a  commendable  practice, 
as  it  prevents  over-maturity  in  the  buds,  lessens  the  danger  of  their 
dropping,  and  the  trees  are  cleansed  and  refreshed  by  the  dews  and  rains, 
not  the  least  of  its  advantages  being  the  thorough  moistening  of  the  border 
in  the  autumn.  Where  the  lights  are  not  moveable  air  should  be  admitted 
constantly  to  the  fullest  extent,  the  border  properly  watered,  and  the  trees 
syringed  occasionally  so  as  to  keep  the  foliage  free,from  red  spider. 
The  varieties  of  Peaches  such  as  Hale’s  Early,  A  Bee,  Stirling  Castle, 
Royal  George,  Dymond,  Grosse  Mignonne,  Bellegarde,  and  Noblesse, 
and  such  Nectarines  as  Lord  Napier,  Blruge,  and  Dryden,  which  were 
started  about  the  new  year,  will  be  cleared  of  the  fruit,  and  the  trees 
put  in  order  for  perfecting  the  growths.  Wood  on  which  the  fruit  was 
borne  will  have  been  removed,  reserving  extensions ;  all  superfluous 
growths  have  also  been  cut  away,  so  that  the  trees  have  the  full  benefit 
of  light  and  air  by  the  foliage  being  fully  exposed,  influences  essential 
to  forming  and  perfecting  the  blossom  buds  and  the  thorough  maturation 
of  the  wood.  Syringe  the  trees,  and  cleanse  them  of  insects  if  necessary 
by  the  prompt  application  of  an  insecticide,  and  supply  water,  or  in  the 
case  of  weakly  trees,  top-dressings  of  chemical  manures  washed  in,  or 
liquid  manure  at  the  roots.  Mulching  will  also  tend  to  keep  the  roots 
active  at  the  surface  and  prevent  the  premature  ripening  of  the  foliage, 
Admit  air  to  the  fullest  extent.  When  the  buds  are  plumped  and  the 
wood  hard  and  brown  where  exposed  to  the  sun,  the  roof  lights  may 
advantageously  be  removed. 
Sucoessional  Houses. — Trees  started  in  February  and  being  of  the 
approved  standard  second  early  and  midseason  varieties,  which  are 
much  better  than  the^ very  early  sorts  for  general  cultivation,  have  the 
fruit  ripe  and  ripening.  The  fruits  are  magnificent  in  colour  and 
the  quality  is  high,  the  juice  being  luscious,  and  that  of  Nectarines 
singularly  sweet.  As  the  fruit  is  cleared  off  the  trees  cut  out  the 
wood  that  has  borne  fruit,  and  thin  the  growths  where  too  close,  or 
where  the  foliage  cannot  have  the  essential  exposure  to  atmospheric 
influences.  Cleanse  the  trees  of  dust  and  red  spider  or  insect  pests 
by  means  of  the  syringe  or  engine,  if  necessary  using  an  insecticide. 
Keep  the  borders  thoroughly  moist,  feeding  trees  that  have  carried 
heavy  crops  or  are  at  all  weakly.  Avoid,  however,  making  the  soil 
sodden  by  thick  and  heavy  applications  of  liquid  manure,  or  inducing 
growth  by  too  abundant  top-dressings  of  the  advertised  fertilisers. 
Stop  laterals  to  one  joint,  or  allow  a  little  extension  if  the  trees  are 
weakly  or  have  the  buds  in  an  advanced  state,  preventing  the  foliage 
ripening  prematurely  by  continuing  the  root  action  with  growth.  When 
the  buds  are  well  formed  the  roof  lights  may  be  removed  in  showery 
weather,  and  where  this  cannot  be  done  the  fullest  amount  of  ventila¬ 
tion  should  be  given,  as  the  weather  has  been  singularly  favourable  for 
bud  formation.  The  exposure  to  rains  and  dew  has  an  invigorating 
effect,  doing  no  harm  except  where  the  trees  are  too  vigorous  and  the 
wood  ripening  unkindly. 
Houses  with  Fruit  Swelling  started  in  March  have  the 
fruits  in  a  forward  condition  where  they  have  stoned  satisfactorily,  as 
they  do  when  the  growth  is  not  too  luxuriant  or  improperly  formed  and 
matured.  The  conditions  essential  to  a  satisfactory  growth  and  crop 
are — (1)  a  border  composed  of  rather  strong  loam,  inclined  to  clay 
rather  than  sand,  and  preferably  marly,  or  with  old  mortar  rubbish  or 
chalk,  to  afford  calcareous  matter  ;  (2)  good  drainage,  consisting  of  a 
foot  thickness  of  rubble,  with  a  sloping  bottom  to  a  drain  for  carrying 
off  superfluous  water  ;  and  (3)  neither  too  wide  nor  too  deep  borders _ 
2  feet  being  ample  as  regards  depth,  and  not  more  than  the  width  of 
the  trellis  the  trees  cover  when  full  grown.  Cultural  conditions  play  an 
important  pait  in  the  matter  of  the  fruit  stoning,  the  border  being 
properly  watered  and  supplied  with  food,  the  shoots  thinly  trained, 
no  overcropping  or  neglect  of  thinning  in  the  early  stages,  and  a  genial 
atmosphere,  so  as  to  insure  steady,  progressive  growth. 
The  leaves  overhanging  the  fruit  should  be  drawn  aside,  and 
depending  specimens  raised  by  means  of  laths  placed  across  the  trellis 
wires,  so  that  the  apex  will  be  to  the  light.  Water  the  borders  copiously 
as  required,  and  feed  with  liquid  manure  or  top-dressings  of  the 
advertised  fertilisers  washed  in.  Keep  the  surface  mulched  with  short, 
sweetened,  or  spent  lumpy  manure,  just  a  little  to  keep  the  surface 
uniformly  moist  and  encourage  surface  roots.  Avoid  a  thick  mulch 
or  material  likely  to  form  a  close  soapy  mass  and  exclude  air.  Ventilate 
early  j  in  fact  leave  a  little  air  on  constantly,  syringing  by  7  A.M.,  and 
through  the  early  part  of  the  day  ventilate  freely.  When  the  sun 
commences  to  lose  power  in  the  afternoon  reduce  the  ventilation,  and 
raise  the  temperature  to  85°  or  90°  by  its  agency  about  4  p.m.,  with  a 
good  syringing  and  damping  ;  but  it  must  be  done  with  judgment,  for 
when  the  water  hangs  for  any  length  of  time  on  the  fruit  during  the 
last  swelling  process  it  is  liable  to  damage  the  skin,  causing  it  to  crack, 
and  giving  the  fruit  a  musty  flavour,  therefore  have  the  fruit  dry  before 
